The beginning of 2008 God inspired a family ministry called Emerging Life Ministries. At first it was more of an idea than reality but He is gradually unfolding His purpose for this ministry. May He emerge more deeply in your life through this ministry. Visit the complete website at www.emerginglifeministries.net

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The High Cost of Love

“Where can I go from
your Spirit?Where can I flee from your
presence?If I go up…you are there; if I
make my bed in the depths, you are there…” Psalm 139:7-8.

When our children were little they always wanted to be in my
presence (until the teenage years!).As
a result of this close fellowship, I believe they felt safer and more secure as
they experienced the love we gave them.They could go upstairs and be confident that while we were out of sight
we were still in the home.They could go
to a friend’s home and be assured that they would find us upon their return.They also knew that if they misbehaved they
could not get away from the discipline we would give them.The more they invested in our relationship
the more they trusted that love would always be the anchor and motivation.However, when they would do something wrong
it limited the joy and fellowship in our relationship, creating a barrier for
the moment.Although we didn’t leave,
the fellowship of our presence was temporarily altered.

The same is with our Father as we have confidence in His
presence whether we are experiencing the blessings of the highs or the despair
of the lows.The issue is not whether
God is with us but rather how much of God 's presence is being accessed.Are our circumstances
causing us to respond in a way that temporarily limits the presence of God in
His fullness?If we break love with another,
then we are fleeing from His presence and going away from His spirit.He does not leave but we go in the opposite direction
of love, limiting His presence in our life.We judge, we gripe, we gossip
etc…

‘The cost of love is
high, it cost the giving of yourself, but the more of yourself you give in love
the more you will be filled with the presence of God.Anything in your heart that
causes you to withhold love from God or another person also restricts the
presence of God in you. If you have any anger against God, that is pride, and
you are in great danger. Pride and anger both create a place in your heart for
Satan. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do
not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil (Ephesians
4:26 – 27). If you have any
unforgiveness or anger, because you are holding on to an offense, then you are
hindering God from filling you. If you are withholding mercy and compassion
from anyone then you are withholding love from them. If you are making judgments against people
thinking that they do not deserve your love then you are withholding love from
them.’ Seek
God Ministries

There
is a deep and critical connection between love for others and experiencing the
fullness of Christ in our lives.The
more love we extend the more Presence we are promised.How will we love today?